Bottle stopper



Feb. 11, 1941. K. B. SMITHSON BOTTLE STOPPER Filed July 24, 1940 INVEN TOR;

Patented Feb. 11 1941 NET 3 Claims.

This invention relates to stopper locks for holding stoppers in bottles, especially when there is a tendency for the stopper to become loosened or'expelled from the mouth of the bottle.

Such locks may be used for holdingv a stopper of conventional design in sealing position in a thermos bottom or a bottle containing carbonated water or any container in which the pressure of contents may become greatly increased.

The present invention relates particularly to sealing means especially adaptable to thermos bottles although it is not so limited, and provides means for use with thermos bottle" or the like, especially where heated liquid contents are used, which will prevent the sealing cork from being expelled from the container under the SXQZ'JIF sion of the heated contents therein.

While the present invention is shownin two modified forms it is obviousthat many modifications may be made in the general structure thereof without departing from the spirit of the invention of the scope of the broader claims appended hereto.

Various modifications as herein outlined may be developed.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in elevation of a standard thermos bottle construction, with the present invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation showing the looking cork;

Fig. 3 is a plan of the cork lock means;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the cork lock in locking position upon a thermos bottle;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a reduced fragmentary view in elevation showing in modified form a cork retention means; and

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary view similar to" Fig. 6, at right angles thereto, showing details of the modifications of Fig. 6.

In Fig. 1 there is disclosed the upper end construction, in elevation, of a thermos bottle comprising an inner vitreous container or flask N made of glass construction in the usual manner and as illustrated in Figs. 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

In the usual manner the outer metallic shell S is arranged about the glass construction; and externally thereof the said metallic shell S is spinnably attached to the glass container in the usual manner. The shell S may be provided with threads T which verge into the tapered por- Q ti'OlI S Theexpose'd glass portion N especiallya s shown in- Figs. 1 and 5 is provided with an aperture A which provides a mouth for receiving therein the compressible cork sealing means I, the cork being tapered in the usual manner.

Asshown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5 the upper end of the glass extension or neck N is provided with two opposed outstanding integral lugs L which as specifically shown in Fig. 5 are provided with interior grooves G.

The cork l as shown in Fig. 2 is tapered from top to bottom in the usual manner, and is provided atits upper end with a wire cork-locking means, which is denoted by W in Fig. 3. This locking. means is of compressed wire formation and includes a circular cork embracing annulus or ring 2 in which is developed two outstanding cork locking loops 3-3 Figs. '1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. While the preferred form of wire locking construction is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 other forms may be utilized and more than a pair of locking lugs used. In the present instance the cork embracing wire locking means may comprise a construction involving a single wire which is bent to form an inverted U-shaped member with the yoke portion 4 thereof diametrically disposed across the top face of the stopper l and having its downwardly extending arms 5 disposed against the curved face of the stopper and bent right angularly and semi-peripherally around the stopper to form the semi-peripheral portions 2--2. These portions are shaped to form diametrically opposed loops 3-3 engageable in the grooves G-G respectively, the portions 2-2 being provided with hooks 6--6 at the free ends of the portions engaging around the right angular bends 5'5' to complete a ring and bail device W embracing the stopper.

The lugs L--L which are preferably integrally molded on the upper rim face of the neck of the glass container N are so designed as to provide inside grooves G-G as in Figs. 1, 4, and 5 each groove may be open at each end for receiving wire cork locking loops 3-3 as shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5 by either clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of the stopper. While the grooves are shown open at both ends the invention is not thus limited.

When it is desired to seal the cork l in operative sealing position in the bottle neck N, the cork l and each of the appurtenant locking loops 3-3 are passed down in intermediate position between said loops and then twisted to thus engage the locking lugs 3-3 in the grooves GG in the said lugs LL as shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5. Owing to the compressibility of the cork it is possible to compressibly seat the cork in the mouth of the bottle neck N, and then by twisting the cork and the wire locking means to engage the grooves G--G bayonet-like, and thus prevent the cork from being pushed out of seated position with the flask neck N, and to hold the seated cork in assembled, compressed, sealing position in the mouth of the container.

In Figs. 6 and 7 there is shown a modified form of construction wherein the metallic strips 1-! are provided, these being positioned oppositely to one another and afiixed to the upper tapered portion of the metal shell S at S, by means of rivets I-I-H or other suitable means. The upper ends of the strips 1-4 are provided with inbent lugs 99 these lugs being located in an angular position as seen in Fig. 6 so that when the cork I with its appurtenant locking loops 33 are twisted thereunder the said lugs are forced downwardly in bayonet-like action and this tends to compressibly hold the cork I in sealing position.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

1. In combination, a bottle provided with a round mouth therein; diametrically opposed lugs attached to said bottle and each having a part inwardly overhanging the lip of said mouth and provided with an under face; a compressible stopper inserted in said opening; and a stopper lock fitted on said stopper and comprising a single piece of wire bent to form an inverted substantially U-shaped member with the yoke portion thereof diametrically disposed across the top face of said stopper and having its downwardly extending arms disposed against the curved face of the stopper and bent right angularly and semiperipherally around the stopper with the semiperipheral portions shaped to form diametrically opposed loops engageable with said faces respectively, said portions being provided with hooks at the free ends of the portions engaging the right angular bends to complete a ring and bail device embracing the stopper; said loops being adapted on rotation of the stopper to engage said faces for holding the stopper firmly in the mouth, or on rotation of the stopper to be freed from said faces for releasing the stopper.

2. A stopper lock adapted to embrace a stopper and comprising a single piece of wire bent to form an inverted substantially U-shaped member with the yoke portion thereof adapted to be diametrically disposed across the top face of the stopper and having its downwardly extending arms adapted to be disposed against the curved face of the stopper and bent right angularly and adapted to be disposed semi-peripherally around the stopper with the semi-peripheral portions shaped to form diametrically opposed projections, said portions being provided with hooks at the free ends of the portions engaging around the right angular bends to complete a ring and bail device adapted to embrace the stopper.

3. A stopper lock comprising a single piece of wire bent to form an inverted substantially U- shaped member having its downwardly extending arms bent right angularly and symmetrically to the axis of the member, the lower ends of the arms being curved semi-circumferentially in the same direction around the axis, the semi-circumferential portions being provided with hooks at the free ends of the portions engaging around the right angular bends to complete a ring said portions being shaped to form diametrically opposed projections on said ring.

KENNETH B. SMITHSON. 

